States roll back restrictions as infections plateau

Governors across the country have begun to rescind policies meant to stem the coronavirus’s spread, even as the rapid drop in new infections begins to stall.

In Texas, the nation’s second most populous state, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that he would lift the state’s mask requirement and restrictions on businesses. Mississippi officials unveiled a similar plan.

Health officials reacted with concern, warning that lifting restrictions too early risked another surge of the virus.

Here are some significant developments:

A bomb went off outside a Dutch coronavirus testing facility just before it was set to open, causing no injuries. This is the second time a testing facility has been attacked in the Netherlands amid dissatisfaction over coronavirus restrictions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance encouraging states to prioritize people with disabilities or cognitive decline for access to vaccines.

President Biden said that the United States will have enough vaccine doses for every adult by the end of May. He also announced plans to vaccinate all K-12 teachers and child-care workers by the end of March.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged Catholics to avoid taking the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine because it used cells derived decades ago from an abortion.